Sport

Swansea on the back foot: Matt Osbourne reaches for a high ball Hamish Fyfe reports: The home game (January 12) started evenly until Marlborough won a short corner, from which Matt Osbourne skilfully put away a good ball from the top of the circle, scoring the first goal of the game.

Marlborough made the journey to Banbury to play against a strong Banbury outfit who had been on an eight-game winning run. Their Club and stadium are hugely impressive and certainly shows where Marlborough’s aspirations are aimed.

Head Coach, Elisi Vunipola, was looking to build on last week’s strong win over Wimborne on the Common to keep the side on the tails of the league leaders. Banbury started the game well, but it was Marlborough who scored first after thirteen minutes. A quick penalty was taken with good work from the forwards, was able to build a number of phases and eventually Epeli Kotobalavu managed to dive over from close range. Jake Williams' conversion went wide to leave it 5-0.

Banbury responded well and on nineteen minutes, Ed Phillips kicked a penalty, given for offside, to reduce the lead to Banbury 3 - Marlborough 5. Semisi Rasivo saw yellow for a knock on and Banbury capitalised on the man advantage to take the lead with Ian Isham going over at the base of a ruck. Phillips converted for a Banbury lead of 10-5.

Banbury extended their lead before half time, when Isham again went over following a good maul from a lineout. This time the conversion was missed but Banbury lead 15-5.

Marlborough replied by working the ball into the Banbury 22 and scored a try after a good driving maul from a lineout, again Epeli Kotobalavu, gathering at the base before driving over for his second try. The conversion was missed, and the half time score was 15-10.

Early in the second half Jake Williams kicked a penalty that was given for offside to narrow the deficit to 15-13 and once again the game was very tight. Both teams’ defenders were working incredibly hard as the two sides looked to build a lead. However. it was Banbury who were to score next when a knock on lead to a kick through and Tom Burman scored under the posts. Phillips' conversion gave the home side a 22-13 lead.

Vunipola made a tactical change when an injury to Ben Fulton forced him off and so Amori Nailago was moved to centre and Macdonald Lewis came on at outside half. Lewis began to tactically kick and pin back Banbury deep in their own half. The pressure told and Phillips was shown a yellow card for a ruck infringement. Marlborough's scrum half, Williams, showed great game awareness to continually to move the ball to the spaces. Unfortunately for full back Garth Bari, who had made a number of good breaks, he had to limp off and despite his injury Fulton returned. Soon after, he gathered a cross field kick provided by Lewis Macdonald and touched down. The wide out conversion missed but the lead was cut to 22-18.

Banbury showed fantastic defence, but now Marlborough sensed the comeback was on and they kept up the pressure. Nailago showed his individual finishing skills to score on the seventy-minute mark and Williams' conversion made it 25-22.

Once the game restarted Marlborough quickly got on the offensive again and Kotobalavu completed his hat-trick with another drive over the line. Williams' conversion made it 32-22 and Marlborough finally had a good lead as the game reached the final phases.

Banbury weren't done though, and huge credit goes to them in realising that a strong finish would still give them 2 bonus points. They worked hard and Ed Berridge got over from a scrum, Phillips added the extras for a 32-29 final score.

Many thanks go to Banbury RFC, all their staff and players for being such hospitable and welcoming hosts for what was one of the most exciting games of the season so far. The large crowd making it a great occasion. Head Coach Elisi Vunipola, commented on what was probably one of the best wins that he had seen from his side since he had taken over. Next week the team look forward to visit of Beaconsfield to the Common.

Saturday’s fixture welcomed Stratford Upon Avon to The Common in grey, damp and miserable conditions. After a brilliant team performance last time out at Salisbury, Marlborough were firm favourites to take the points in this tie. Stratford-Upon-Avon, who have only won one game all season would have to put in a top performance to challenge Marlborough.

Marlborough Hockey Club Ladies second team - and supportersLouise Gostling reports how Marlborough Ladies seconds lost 3-10 against Salisbury - in one of their toughest games of the season so far, but they take away lots of positives.

On the first day of Advent, both sets of fans opened their doors to a magnificent game of rugby at Salisbury. The sun was out, and the recent cold weather relented to provide perfect conditions for the players. Marlborough, on the back of a home defeat to Royal Wootton Bassett felt this was a good opportunity to return to winning ways, despite a number of injuries causing selection complications.

Angels in Pyjamas for training sessionPudsey, and Children in Need are better off to the tune of £61.50 thanks to the MYFC Angels turning up to train in their pyjamas for their weekly training session on the Children in Need night.

Marlborough kicked off, attacking towards the town and received an early wave of Wimborne pressure. They had the ball camped for the first few minutes inside the Marlborough half. However, Marlborough grew into the game. On fourteen minutes the breakthrough arrived. Jonty Kaywent over the line after a rather scrappy sequence of play, however the try was coming. Will Grant provided a beautifully taken kick from thirty metres to convert the try. 7-0.

(L to r): Club Chairman Colin Gratton and Keith Hampson At the annual meeting of the Wiltshire Lawn Tennis Association (a branch of the national organisation) Pewsey Tennis Club achieved two notable awards - Pewsey Tennis Club was named 'Club of the Year' and Keith Hampson was named volunteer of the year.

Avenai Cakaunitavuki attempts to break through the Bassett defence supported by Garth Bari and Tom West

Marlborough 5 - 38 Wootton Bassett

On the back of a good team performance and win at Oxford Harlequins last week, Marlborough faced a Royal Wootton Bassett side in top form. On a seven-game win streak, Bassett sat second in the table, two points above Marlborough. The gloomy, grey and bitter weather was no problem for the crowd, who came out in numbers for the eagerly anticipated fixture and local derby. Marlborough kicked off the first-half and were attacking the Town End.

Mrs Ann Antoni of 11 Lynden Close, East Grafton, Marlborough pleaded guilty to collecting scrap without a scrap metal licence and for the offence of transporting controlled waste, without the correct...

Following the Marlborough Choral Society's very popular Christmas concert, they are starting rehearsals on Monday, January 14 for their March 30 concert. This will feature Mozart’s Solemn Vespers and John...

A 78-year-old woman has died following a collision near Lockeridge last evening, Sunday 6 January at approximately 6.20pm on the unclassified road between Lockeridge and Alton Barnes. The woman, who...

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